Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers was arrested at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport on Monday for illegal possession of a firearm.

Local police booked Bowers after he was caught carrying a loaded .40-caliber firearm while checking in for a US Airways flight from the Queens hub to Raleigh, N.C.

According to the NFL Network, Bowers has been charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was set to appear in court later Monday night. USA Today noted that the charges, which are the same as the ones brought against former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, carry a minimum 3 1/2-year prison sentence.

WNBC-TV in New York was first to report Bowers' arrest.

The NFL said in a statement that the arrest "will be reviewed under our league policy."

The Buccaneers are still in the process of learning the details.

"We're aware of the situation and are gathering information," general manager Mark Dominik said in a statement. "We will withhold comment until we know all the facts."

Dominik and the Bucs drafted Bowers in the second round of the 2011 draft out of Clemson. Since then, injuries have contributed to making him ineffective as a pass rusher.

The Buccaneers' organization, under coach Greg Schiano disciplined approach, has shown it has low tolerance for off-field offenders, most recently trading away talented cornerback Aqib Talib in the middle of the 2012 season. Given that Bowers has been a non-factor in Tampa Bay's defense, it wouldn't be surprising if he's an ex-Buccaneer soon.